The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-08-27
PIETY WITHOUT DISPLAY.
EXPLANATORY NOTES BY REV. r.
8. MARThUR, o. D.


V. |. This verse Is statement OF the gen.
cral principle which is illustrated In what
follows The Revised Version has properly
introduced the word Righteousness" instead
OF "almS" The best critics arr agreed IN this
change. Righteousness here is not the right
snlisncss of Christ; IL means rectitIde, right
doing, conformity 10 tho will OF God.
VS.. "a. Here wo have the first ilustra-
ton Of the application Of tho principle to
Aims giving. The change from the plural We
70 tho singular thou indivdualizes the
thought Not sound u trunpet.-lt is sup
posed that il was the custom of the Pharisees
literally to sound trumpet and 20 call to-
gether the poor; others think the reference is
TO the trumpet shaped money boxes and the
shaking OF the coin as it fell into them. But
all these suggestions are far fetched Hypo-
crites.-The word originally meant those who
wore mask and performed part This is
is the classical usage. As the composition OF
the word suggests, they were dissemblers In
the synagogucs.-He religious assemblies
were held ut which offerings were made. In the
streets.-Nhere beggars gathered and where
gifts were bestowed. Have their rewarll.--
or course they have. Men generally get
what they seek. Literally, this is their full
reward.
V. 8. Left hand.--This doubtless was
proverb. The privacy was to be so great that
one member of the body was not to know
what another member did. This is as il the
right hand slipped out its gift SO quietly and
quickly that the left hand was ignorant of
the act.
" This verse indicates the true method !;
it gives the positive direction. In secret-in
q secret place. God will see Thy Father.
The individuality of the deed is still sug
Eested by the statement regarding the re-
ward.
VS.. SIS. We now have the second ilustra-
tion Of the application OF the general prin
ciple Of doing good without ostentation. This
il in regard to private prayer The remarks
made are not to be applied to common prayer
OF public worship.
VS. Hypocrtes pray to be seen Of men,
but when We pray there is to be another mo-
tive. DR.. Broadus calls attention to the fact
thas throughout this passage the plural is
used in general injunctions and tho singular
in pointed applications. No criticism is here
made IN the standing posture in prayer 1t
is ostentation which is condemned. The cor
fares, the Lroadways, this is the idea were
admirable places for such ostentatious dis
play.
V. G. Now comes the positive side of the
teaching, the pointing out of the true method.
Thou-The singular form for the sake Of
pointed personal application CloSet.-Liter-
ally, storeroom and so place OF privacy; an
innermost apartment. In the Revised Version
it is rendered sinner chamber" sometimes the
upper chamber (Actsi, 10; tx, 81; Xxx, 81. By thy
closet may he meant a place under ones own
sontrol. No Christian can be strong among
men except he be often alone with God. Shut
thy door.-Not only must the door be closed,
but, as is implied, fastened; this suggests the
greatest privacy. No rebuko is intended for
family, social or moro pubic prayer. Every
mans own heart may be his closet. Openly
is to be omitted.
vs. rs. Ye.--Our Lord now comes to speak
Of prayer in its varied relations in life, and SO
uses the plural Prayer is liable to other
dangers than ostentatious display; another
fault in prayer is vain repetition. Ono prac-
tice has been conference.-the pharisaical
practice; the other is the heather practice
which is to be condemned. Vain repeti-
tions-The word SO translated occurs now here
else in the New Testament Some have
thought that it is derived from the name
Battus, a Cyrenian king mentioned by Herod-
~tus, who was noted for his stammering;
others derive it from q poet Of that name
whose poetical illusions abounded in repeti-
lions.
V.0. Now We come to the model prayer;
this is its true name. The true Lords
Prayer, our Lords microscopy prayer, is
found in John, 18th chapter. The prayer
here is rather the disciples prayer, although
the common name is found as early rs A. D.
$50 For simplicity, comprehensiveness and
spirituality, this prayer must ever be
model There is nothing said Of the media
torial work Of Christ, no asking in his name,
but these elements could not be present at
this stage III his life and teaching. The
prayer is adapted to the time when it was ut
tered. 1t is not given o. q form to DO Al
ways and necessarily used; it is to serve as a
specimen OF acceptable prayer. In Luke we
have it with important variations showing
that it was not intended as an invariable form.
10 far as We know Christ did not himself
use this form, neither did the apostles The
prayer falls into two divisions Of three petit
Mons each. The first class Of petitions-lke
the first table Of the law-refers to God and
eur relations to him. The second-like the
second table Of the law-to ourselves and our
relations tn one another We are to pray for
Gods glory before We pray for our own
bread Our Father plural is used
thr' ughout the prayer. because the prayer Is
social rather than secret God IL our Father
BY creation, preservation, and especially so
BY adoption. Our shows the brot Jerhood Of
man, as well as tho fatherhood OF God In
heaven,-More accurately, in the heavens.
This is a Hebrew usage very common in the
New Testament. Hallowed This is an
Anglo-Saxon word often used in translating
the Old Testament, but only here and in
Luke ii, 9, in the New Testament. 1t is a
prayer that Gods name may be regarded and
treated as sacred sanctified and revered alike
By our works, words and thoughts.
v. 10. Thy Kingdom come.-Gods kingdom
q bis reign; the administration OF Jesus
Christ. To offer this petition Alright Is to
labor and to give for the spread Of the Gospel,
for the CONVEX sion OF the world Thy will
This includes all which God purposes and
commands. Strictly. Hbe DONE means TO
come to pass The oruer in the Revised Yer
sion Is worthy of notice. "As in heaven, SO
On earth" That is. as fully, joyously and
universally as it is done by angels. Bengal
notes that in the first three petitions we have